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Hand Book of nature Based festival of sikkim 1 Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP) Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim Hand Book on Nature Based Festivals of Sikkim Published by : Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP) Forest, Environment And Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim, Deorali, Gangtok - 737102 India All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval syst em, without permission in writing from the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Project Director, Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project, FEWMD, Government of Sikkim. Photographs from: Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department, Govt of Sikkim & Department of Information & Public Relations, Govt. of Sikkim. Contents Page No. Message 7 Preface 8 Foreword 9 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction 11 Lepcha & Bhutia Festivals 12-20 Tendong Lho Rum Faat 13 Namsoong Or Nambun 14 Muk Zikding Rum Faat 15 Pang Lhab-Sol 16 Losoong 17 Bum Chu 18 Losar 19 Drukpa -Tshechi 20 Nepalese Festival 21-26 Dasai or Vara Dashai 22 Tihar 23 Maghey Sankranti 24 Yuma Sham Manghim 25 Sakewa 26 Hand Book of nature Based festival of sikkim 5 6 Hand Book of nature Based festival of sikkim Forest, Env. & W.L. Mangt. Deptt/ Mines, Minerals & Geology and Science, technology & Climate Change Deptt. Government of Sikkim Message It gives me immense pleasure to release the book titled “Handbook on Nature based festivals of Sikkim”, being published by the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP), Department of Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management, Government of Sikkim. The State of Sikkim, with its diverse communities and attributes makes the state an acknowledged tourist destination for its overwhelming natural beauty and rich cultural legacy. The project aims to improve the Ecotourism profile of Sikkim through structured interventions under ecotourism component of SBFP. Currently, the project is working in 11 ecotourism zones of the state to develop new and innovative ecotourism based products and services, which are envisaged to support the conservation efforts as well as creating more livelihood opportunities for the local people. This handbook highlights important nature-based festivals prevalent in various communities such as Tendong Lho Rum Faat, Namsoong or Nambun, Muk Zikding Rum Faat, Pang Lhab Sol, Loosong, Bum chu, Losar, Drukpa- Tshezi,Dasai or Vada Dashai, Tihar, Maghey Sankranti, Yuma Sham Manghim & Sakewa. Hence it is a laudable attempt to provide information about the various festivals and fairs which are prevalent in the state. I am confident that this book in its precise outline may be seen as a reference for tourists, tourism industry partners and all concerned. (Tshering Wangdi Lepcha) MINISTER Hand Book of nature Based festival of sikkim 7 Preface Fairs and festivals are closely connected to part of India with the presence of diverse human society from ancient times. Festivals ethnic cultural communities and their unique have evolved as an integral part of the societal festivals is a favourite tourist region for many fabric of communities reflecting their cultural, tourists. social, historical, spiritual and domestic life. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is an While some festivals are ingrained in the established tourist destination popular among religious and spiritual milieu, many others tourists from both India and abroad. It is the have evolved as a mark of changing seasons, exquisite natural beauty and the distinctive events which have historical or cultural cultural features that make Sikkim a valued significance, etc. tourist destination in India. Each community As a matter of fact, festivals may differ on type, that inhabits Sikkim has got its own culture, character, rituals and festivities associated tradition and festivals. with it; but what is invariably found in This handbook attempts to capture important them are the spirit and enthusiasm as well nature-based festivals of Sikkim prevalent as the continuity and direction it provides. among various communities. Following Festivals are marked by amplified social attributes / characteristics have been interactions, where people leave behind their considered while making the selection of regular activities and engage in festivities and nature based festivals of Sikkim; celebrations. Often, festivals are regarded as the mark of community identity and promotes Origin of the festival is related to a nature the continuity of tradition and heritage. Based based phenomena on the form and orientation, festivals can be Festivals which revere nature and its broadly categorised into two groups- ‘culture varying elements oriented’ and ‘nature oriented’. Mythology behind the festival is grounded Being a multicultural society with each in nature based occurrence / occurrences community and society known for its typical cultural attributes, India is considered as a Main rituals of the festival are focused on land of festivals. Festivals or Utsava’s are an nature and its various elements, etc. essential part of Indian society and there For each of the festival listed in the handbook, would hardly be any month that goes-by in careful effort has been put to highlight its India without the occurrence of festivals. By unique and important features like origin, virtue of their distinctive fervour, festivities occurrence, festivities and rituals, community and the mood, some of the festivals have or community’s linkage, festival location (s), become tourists attractions. North-Eastern probable dates, etc. 8 Hand Book of nature Based festival of sikkim Foreword Sikkim is a state endowed with rich and cultural features available for the local area, unique biodiversity and distinct cultural they are conceived to support the conservation values. Hence, it is of utmost importance to efforts while creating more and more conserve and protect these valuable resources livelihood opportunities for the local people. for the benefit of both the present and Further these products and services are being future generations. The Japan International marketed in the national and international Co-operation Agency (JICA) assisted ecotourism markets and thereby ensuring to Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & Forest position Sikkim as one of the most desired Management Project (SBFP) was being ecotourism destinations in the country. conceptualised and implemented in the State to achieve this aim. The Forest, Environment & This Handbook on Nature based Festivals of Wildlife Management Department (FEWMD) Sikkim is an attempt to facilitate ecotourism is the implementing agency for this project. by show casing at a glance the diversity of SBFP focuses on 3 core areas of intervention Sikkimese culture as represented by an array namely; Biodiversity Conservation, of festivals. Festivals and fairs are popular Ecotourism and Joint Forest Management. tourism products which attract tourists from distant places. There are many nature-based Under the ecotourism component of SBFP, the festivals celebrated in the state. Capturing project aims to improve the ecotourism profile some of the important nature based festivals, of Sikkim through structured interventions. As this handbook is envisioned as an information the initial step in this direction, Government of source about the various festivals, their Sikkim notified the SBFP Sikkim Ecotourism background, important festivities and rituals, Policy, 2012 drafted by the SBFP team. festival venues, dates, etc. Currently, the project is working in 11 notified ecotourism zones of the State in order to I hope that this handbook on nature based develop new and innovative ecotourism based festivals of Sikkim will benefit tourists, tourism products and services. While these products industry partners and all others concerned, as are evolved from the typical biodiversity and they explore this unique land and its people. Dr Thomas Chandy, IFS PCCF-cum- Principal Secretary, FEWMD & Project Director, Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project, Govt. of Sikkim. Hand Book of nature Based festival of sikkim 9 Acknowledgements I would like to convey my sincere thanks to of sharing views, knowledge and academic Shri. T. W. Lepcha, Honourable Minister materials relevant to the subject matter. of Forests, Environment and Wildlife This handbook is the product of dedication Management Department (FEWMD) and and collective effort put up by the Ecotourism Dept. of Science & Technology and Climate Section of Sikkim Biodiversity conservation & Change, Govt. of Sikkim for his continuous Forest Management Project (SBFP) supported encouragement and inspiration in bringing by Japan International cooperation agency out this handbook. (JICA); special mention goes to Dr. S. My heartfelt thanks goes to Dr. Thomas Anbalagan, IFS, Mr Udai Gurung, IFS, Ms. Chandy, PCCF-cum-Principal Secretary, & Arati Basnet, SFS, Ms. Sonam Laden and Project Director (SBFP), Govt.of Sikkim for Ms. Sandhya Pant; Mr. Muhammed Nahar J, his guidance, inputs and views to improve the National Ecotourism Marketing Specialist, Mr. handbook. Masanori Shintani, International Ecotourism
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